Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to requests for a hearing. The case will be handled by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, but denied his claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a schedular disability evaluation higher than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as post-traumatic arthritis and degenerative arthritis, is not associated with his active military service. The Board concluded that the most logical sequence of events was an injury during service followed by a more serious injury in the mid-1970s.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected gout and any osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which is the maximum schedular rating available based on limitation of function as measured by range of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination of his PTSD and left knee conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on a finding that he is permanently housebound, as there was no evidence showing he needed constant help with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, or eating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's ankle disabilities and determine their etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a combined rating of more than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disorders have been granted, with the effective date of November 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for ligamentous laxity and degenerative arthritis of his left knee, finding that the evidence does not support higher ratings under any applicable criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected low back disability was denied, and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various conditions, including his lumbar spine and shoulder disabilities, have not been met under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability, manifested by disc disease and arthritis, is likely due to his in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.